QuantERA Call 2025 · Applied Quantum Science

Exploration of Cell-free
Quantum Key Distribution

EXCEL-QKD is a European research project exploring a new approach to secure indoor quantum communication — one designed to stay resilient where today's quantum links are fragile. The project is now underway, and we'll be sharing our progress here as it unfolds.

About the project What's coming
  • Secure indoor quantum communication
  • Resilient by design
  • European research collaboration
  • Open science
36 months duration
3 partner institutions
3 European countries
2025 project launch
The vision

From a single fragile link to a resilient quantum mesh

The challenge

Today's Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) systems typically rely on a single, fixed link between sender and receiver. In realistic indoor environments that makes them fragile: a moment of blocking, misalignment or user movement can interrupt the connection and bring secure communication to a halt. The architecture simply has no room to spare.

Our vision

EXCEL-QKD explores a cell-free approach, where several quantum sources work together to serve a single receiver. By spreading the link across multiple cooperating sources, the system is designed to keep communicating securely even when one path is blocked — bringing robustness and flexibility to indoor quantum networks.

What's coming

The project is underway — more coming soon

EXCEL-QKD has just begun its 36-month journey. As the work advances, this page will grow with the project's achievements. Check back as we reach each stage — here's what you can expect to find.

Coming soon

Milestones

Major project milestones will be announced here as they are reached.

Coming soon

Results

Highlights from our research and experiments, shared as they become available.

Coming soon

Publications

Open-science papers and datasets, linked here as they are published.

Coming soon

Events & outreach

Talks, workshops and public activities from across the consortium.

Consortium

Three complementary European teams

EXCEL-QKD unites leading expertise in quantum communications, free-space optics, system integration and advanced signal processing — all partners from QuantERA Widening regions.

University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Coordinator IDeTIC · Spain

Coordinates the project; expertise in optical wireless communications and system integration.

  • Prof. Rafael Perez-Jimenez — Coordinator & PI
  • Prof. Jose Rabadan — Co-Investigator
  • Dr. Vicente Matus · Dr. Eleni Niarchou

Czech Technical University in Prague

CTU Prague · Czech Republic

Expertise in free-space optics and emitter synchronisation.

  • Prof. Stanislav Zvanovec — PI
  • Carlos Guerra-Yanez · Dr. Ailing Zhong

University of Luxembourg — SnT

Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust · Luxembourg

Expertise in receiver design, reconstruction and signal processing.

  • Dr. Jorge Querol — PI
  • Dr. Mert Bayraktar · Dr. Francesco Vista

Get in touch

For scientific collaboration, dissemination opportunities or questions about cell-free QKD, send us a message below — or subscribe to follow the project.

QuantERA programme ↗